Q1. Why did you choose the MEA Class EA process? The Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process is the approved process under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act for the assessment of municipal projects involving construction and maintenance for roads, water, stormwater and sanitary waste. A schematic of the process is provided here for reference. Click here (PDF/46kb)

Q2. What is the current stage of the project within the Class EA process? We have completed Phase 1, Problem or Opportunity, and are nearing completion of Phase 2, Alternative Solutions.  The next Phase involves the identification, assessment and evaluation of alternative designs. 

Q3. What is the preferred Alternative Solution? A new corridor.

Q4. Why did you choose the study limits shown? The purpose of the North Transportation Corridor as defined in the Town of Bracebridge Official Plan is to link Highway 11 with District Road 118 west of the downtown area of Bracebridge. 

The Ministry of Transportation have selected Cedar Lane/DR 117 interchange as the location for improvements to provide access to High Falls Road and the Resource Centre when direct accesses (at-grade intersections) are removed from Highway 11 in the future.  Therefore the eastern limit of the study was selected to be east of Highway 11 from the Cedar Lane/DR 117 interchange northerly approximately 3 km. 

The vicinity of Falkenburg Road was selected as the north limit to the study area.  It allows development of routes to the north of important deer habitat identified by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

The southern limit of the study was selected to skirt existing/ approved subdivision development and is generally north of the urban boundary of the Town of Bracebridge.  The purpose is to identify routes close to potential users.
The western limit of the study is west of the South Monck Drive corridor from DR 118 to Falkenburg Road.  The western limit needs to be close to the urban area so that any road will be convenient for users looking for an alternative route.

The current study area is consistent with previous transportation studies including the 1994 “Town of Bracebridge Transportation Study” and is also consistent with the Town of Bracebridge Official Plan.

Q5. Why did you focus on Monck Road South and not another corridor further west? The rugged topography, existing land uses and natural resources were primary factors in the selection of South Monck Road.  The Study Area may be modified during the process as routes are developed and assessed.
The north limit of the Town of Bracebridge West Transportation Corridor aligns roughly with the Monck Road South and DR 118 intersection.

Q6. What is the expected capital costs of this arterial? It is too early in the study to estimate the capital costs of a new arterial.  This information will be provided later in the study.

Q7. When will the arterial be built? At this time, road construction is expected to be many years to decades in the future. The EA process will result in identification of a Recommended Plan, allowing the District of Muskoka to protect the corridor and begin implementation when funding is available.

Q8. What road standard will be used (eg. speed limit , number of lanes, etc.)? The arterial is expected to have a posted speed limit of 60 km/h, two (2) lanes and paved shoulders.

Q9. Who decides on the location of an interchange on Highway 11? The Ministry of Transportation has jurisdiction on Highway 11 and has identified Cedar Lane/DR 117 as their preferred interchange location.  The District and Town have indicated that they prefer a new interchange location further north on Highway 11.  The Ministry has provided their design criteria for a new interchange and has indicated that it will consider the results of this EA study by the District in the final decision on the interchange location.

Q10. Where will the new road be located? Routes for the North Transportation corridor will be examined later in the study.

Q11. Will you be using High Falls Road? High Falls Road falls within the Study Area so it is an alternative to be considered.  Generally High Falls Road is not constructed to the standard that the District of Muskoka has established for this North Transportation Corridor.  However, it is possible that some section(s) of High Falls Road to be upgraded and will be included in some routes to be examined.

Q12. Will there be a noise assessment? Noise associated with road traffic will be assessed and considered in the evaluation of alternatives.

Q13. Have you considered the impacts to the wildlife and to the forests and waterbodies? Impacts to a broad range of factors including aquatic and terrestrial environments are being considered. We have been in contact with representatives from the Ministry of Natural Resources who have provided us with information regarding species at risk, locations for watercourses and a deer yard. We have prepared a map of the natural environment existing conditions. Click here (PDF/1.3mb)

Q14. What traffic problem are you trying to solve? Problems include limited downtown capacity, limited connectivity across the Muskoka River and the need to maintain access to properties adjacent to Highway 11 when it becomes a controlled-access highway (i.e. at-grade access such as at High Falls Road, the Resource Centre and Alpine Ranch Road will be closed).